ISABELLE’S POVAxel remained tied to the bed, his golden eyes filled with defiance as he stared at me. I couldn’t help but admire his composure. He had nerves of steel, not even shaking or threatened by my position of power over him, and I leaned back unto the rickety table, twirling the dagger in my hand.“You know,” I began, straightening and walking towards him slowly, my tone light but with a dangerous edge, “for someone who’s in such a position, you are remarkably calm. I wonder… would you rather die a traitor or live as my loyal servant?”Axel’s brows furrowed, his jaw clenching tighter. It was very clear he hated the idea but I wanted to keep aggravating him to keep him talking so I could get any kind of information.“I’m being very nice and offering you a way out of this mess you got yourself in” I continued, my voice dripping with mock innocence. “Swear your loyalty to me, and I might just plead on your behalf when the soldiers arrive to take you away.” I smiled sweetly, tho
ISABELLE’S POVRyker sped through the road, the wind hitting my face hard and then I was back home, I got down from his motorcycle and turned to him still on his bike.I could still see the restraint in his gaze and how he blamed himself for what happened as he drove away.“I'm a full grown woman, Ryker, I take full responsibility for all my actions. You should know nothing was your fault.” I assured him.His gaze flickered over mine with a curt smile. “Yes, Princess.” He whispered.“Thank you,” I whispered back.He gave me a single nod before he started the bike, fixed his helmet and froze off.Once he was in the distance, I turned around and stormed back into my chambers, my face flushed red with frustration. The events of the day kept playing in my mind like a haunting memory, each moment only making me angrier. I slumped onto the lounge chair and gestured for my maid to enter.“Do you know what kind of day I’ve had?” I began, my voice tired but sharp. “First, I get kidnapped by s
MARA'S (MARCELLO) POVMy heart pounded in his chest as Princess Isabelle stirred awake, her sharp gaze piercing through the dark right to me. I felt sudden panic as my gaze met hers, my heart pounding in my chest. For sure I have been exposed.I knew Isabelle had been very suspicious of me and now she has caught me sneaking out of the room. My brain scrambled for an answer to her questions as she narrowed her eyes to me.“I…I” I started but the princess suddenly leaned back onto the bed and then her eyes slowly fluttered close.I let out a deep breath of relief, my hands clutching my chest as my breathing evened. I stood in the same spot for a few seconds watching the princess sleep until her chest rose and fell softly.I let out a low breath to steady my breath and finally twisted the door knob and silently slipped out of the room. I tiptoed carefully through the dim hallway, my every move calculated. Now the risk was too much and I can't afford to get caught.The cool night air br
AXEL'S POVMy muscles ache painfully by the time we arrived at the safe house hidden deep in the forest at the south border of Night Fall pack. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.My arms fell limply by my side as Marcello dragged me through the door. Once we were in, he gently laid me on the small bed in the corner.I clutched the stab wound with a deep scowl. I had already lost so much blood I could hardly see clearly, cold sweat dropped down my face as I grunted in pain.“Are you okay?” Marcello asked, his voice tinged with concern.“I need to get stitched up,” I grunted, gritting my teeth in pain. Marcello rushed through the shed to help and returned with a white gauze, a needle and a bottle of gin.I took a deep swig of the gin before he lifted my shirt to reveal the deep cut still bleeding.I hissed, taking another gulp of the alcohol as he started cleaning the wound and then stitching it up. Once he was done, Marcello rose, pacing the small, dimly lit room
ISABELLE'S POVMy chambers were lit with a single candle as I settled back onto my pillow. I took a deep breath, a smile playing on my lips as I recalled the events of the night. Mara's unusual behaviour recently only confirmed my suspicions. Her weird glances, the stiffness in her movements, and the way she was always not comfortable around me were all too telling.I intentionally fell back asleep last night so she could sneak out and slowly reveal her true identity.Tristan had listened to my concerns and arranged secret protection for me and also tailed her wherever she went.My wolf stirred,’ Mara is far from ordinary, Isabelle. Her aura carries the scent of your mate. Yet, her true identity is hidden.’The moon goddess must be playing with me now. Was this her way of testing my resolve, mating me with someone whose identity is a secret? Punishing me for something I can't understand?I pushed the thoughts aside as my gaze landed back on Mara with a mischievous glint in my eyes,
ISABELLE'S POVI watched Mara over my glass as I ate breakfast. Her behaviour was becoming more erratic, and I couldn't wait for her to break. I kept on switching my behaviour towards her from cold detachment and then being flirty the next second, with each shift I was getting closer to finding out who she was.My wolf kept me in line, keeping me patient as I watched all of Mara's movements. She would reveal herself eventually; all I needed to do was watch and wait.After breakfast, I slipped on a shawl over my head and headed to the palace. I needed to speak with Tristan. The grand halls of the palace loomed over me, the sunlight streaming in through high windows as I approached Tristan's throne room. He rose and greeted me warmly as I stepped through the double door, though his expression was strained and serious.“What have you found out?” He grunted as I got closer.It was clear the situation with the spy and Mara was weighing down on him."She's not just a maid," I stated firm
ISABELLE'S POVI looked up to face Levi, the air around the table suddenly heated up..My wolf immediately stirred a low growl echoing in her mind. This is it. It’s over. The internal scream of my wolf mirrored my panic. Levi stared at my hands wrapped in Alan's, his eyes clouded with confusion.My heart pounded as Levi kept staring and now, I could see the wheels turning in his mind. His gaze landed on the necklace I was wearing around my neck, a gift from Kale before he left for war. "Would you join me for a meal?" he asked, his tone polite but firm. "I’d like to catch up."I hesitated a moment, but Alan squeezed my hand under the table. I slowly nodded, knowing I had little choice since he was already there. Levi settled on the other chair at the table, the air heavy with tension and unspoken questions.As we all sat, Levi leaned forward, his eyes searching mine. "So, what is your relationship with Alan?"The question hit me like a punch to the gut even though I was expecting it.
KAEL'S POVThe door slammed shut behind me, and I could still hear Levi's warning in my mind.His words puzzled me and I couldn't understand what he meant but I needed to go to Isabelle now.After she left the camp, I couldn't bear her absence and the fact that she left with Beta Rowan.The last few days she lingered in my mind and I couldn't hold it back anymore. I gave clear commands to the soldiers and returned home.As I arrived at her villa, my blood was humming with eagerness to finally see her. Her maid answered the door when I knocked, a hint of surprise in her eyes as she greeted me with a polite smile.“Good evening,” I replied warmly. “I want to see the princess.”“Yes I know, but the princess is out right now.” She replied. I couldn't stop the disappointment that flickered across my face, but I quickly masked it with a curt nod."Would you like to wait in the princess's living room, sir?" the maid asked.I hesitated, my mind urging me to leave and return later. But the th
ALAN'S POVThe moment the announcement was made, a cold wave of shock hit me. I knew I was talented, I had always believed in my abilities as an artist. But the thought of the public voting, of their opinions holding such weight in the competition, was enough to make me question everything. My hands become clammy, his heart drumming in my chest. I shut my eyes tight as the public watched the paintings and chose the winner.This was it, the last moment for my dreams to come through. I took a deep breath as the hall went silent again.Master Levi's voice rang out, slicing through the ringing in my ears and my nervousness. “The winner of this year’s art competition is Artist Alan!”The applause was deafening, followed by loud cheers, the gasps of approval.It was all overwhelming for a moment.I suddenly felt the floor shift under me, my legs now unsteady as I collapsed back onto my seat. I clutched my chest, barely able to breathe. The world around me blurred for a minute as I stood up
ISABELLE’S POVI was restless in the villa, pacing my room and unable to keep still. Today was the art competition and I knew Alan would be in the heat of it right now.Not knowing what was going on there was almost driving me crazy. A knock echoed in the door and my maid walked in with a tray for my lunch.I nodded in response as she walked in and bowed. I stared at the plate for food as she set it gently on the table.But I had no appetite, not when my stomach was churning with anticipation.“I need you to go to the royal arts competition and report back to me all that's happening there,” I ordered.My maid paused on her way out of the door, her wary eyes landing on me before bowing and stepping out.I wrangled my hands in my lap as I waited for her to return. My heart was pounding loudly as I heard her footsteps on the stairs and then the knock on the door of my chambers.I tore the door open and dragged her to it. “Tell me!” I urged.“Your Highness, the competition is going smooth
KAEL’S POVThe prison was grim as I strode through the halls, impatient to be back outside under the light of the sun and away from the thick stench.Suddenly the walls went alive with the sounds of agony. Guttural screams echoed off the stone walls, each one filled with pain and begging.As a warrior and a general I had already steeled myself against such sounds, but today, these screams made me pause in my steps.It was a woman’s scream—raw and broken.I turned my head toward the direction of the noise. I had come down here just to oversee Axel’s torture and make sure he broke, but now, I was strung with curiosity that led my steps into the depths of the prison. The warden who was leading me through the walls shot me a wary glance but said nothing as he followed.As I got closer to one of the isolated cells and the sounds, the scent of rot and dampness only grew stronger in the air.The iron bars of the cell were wet with moisture, the single torch in the corridor casting shadows.
KAEL’S POVI felt a slight tremor under my skin as I strode out of the pack hospital. My conversation with Rowan played on my mind.I hope he got my message loud and clear because I wouldn't want him getting between Isabelle and me. Now that she is with me, I would like to keep her as mine.I pushed the thought back as I remembered Tristan’s last command. I need to pay the spy Axel a visit.The prison reeked of blood, sweat, and decay as the warden led me through the halls.The air hugged thick with the metallic stench of pain and suffering, and the dim torchlight in the warden's hands was hardly enough to light the long dark hallways. I strode through the narrow corridor, my boots echoing against the cold floor. The guards standing at the door of his cell gave me a salute as I waited for the warden to unlock the heavy iron door.As the gate screeched open, I stepped in leaning down to get through the low bar.Once my eyes adjusted to the low light, I saw Axel slumped against the woo
ISABELLE’S POVThe dim candle cast long shadows across the stone walls of the bathhouse, as I stared down the person standing in front of me. Her body was rigid as she took another step out of the shadows, her piercing gaze fixed on me, but I could see the slight tension in her shoulders. She was trying to hide it, but I knew.“You don’t look pleased to see me,” I said, leaning casually against the bathtub. I trailed my fingers over the marble top, looking away from him.She let out a loud exhale, crossing her arms. “I never expected you to be so bold,” she admitted. Her eyes flickered to the exposed skin, my neck down to my collarbone, “Are you not afraid that Kael will discover… us?”I let out a loud laughter. “Afraid?” I repeated, tilting my head with a sky smile. “And why would I be afraid?”She narrowed his eyes at me, and I could see her hands curl into fist. “Because if he finds out, it won’t end well for either of us.”My smirk deepened. “Oh, you misunderstand everything. Ka
ISABELLE’S POVThe morning light streamed through the tall windows of my chambers, as I stirred in the silk sheets. The heat from last night still lingered in the air. I turned with exhaustion, my movement sending tiny shocks through her muscles and my mind playing a reminder of Kael’s hands on my body, his lips tracing wet kisses along my skin.A gentle knock on the door pulled me away from the memories as I quickly sat up, pulling the sheets closer to my body.“My Lady,” my maid's soft voice called through the door.One of my maids stepped inside, a basin of warm water in her hands. Her cheeks flushed red with heat as her gaze landed on the scattered bed and my naked body was barely covered by the sheets.“What do you want?” I murmured, stretching my hands over my head lazily.She quickly averted her gaze, setting the basin down on a nearby table. “General Kael tended to you this morning,” she said. “He cleaned your wounds and ensured you were comfortable before leaving.”My lips
KAEL’S POVI could feel the light of dawn seeping through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the princess's chambers. I stirred awake, my body still warm from the lingering heat of the Isabelle sprawled beside me.I looked down at Isabelle, lying asleep against me, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, and her breathing slow and even. Something tightened in my chest from the sight of her, so calm and vulnerable in her sleep.For a moment, I just watched her, memorizing every detail and feature of her face. The way her lips were slightly parted, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the faint bruises along her collarbone. I reached out without thinking, my fingers trailing over her skin, before pulling back. I carefully pulled the blanket up, making sure she was well covered.I wanted to stay. But I couldn't.I quietly slipped out of bed, slowly shrugged my clothes back on and cast one last glance at Isabelle before I left.Once I was fully dressed, I slipped through th
ISABELLE’S POVThe warm steam hung in the air, wrapping me in heat as I leaned against the edge of the bath. Kael stood across from me, his body stiff and his shoulders tense as if he wanted to run away at any moment. I smirked at his obvious discomfort, finding his hesitation cute."You look like you're preparing for battle, General." I teased, lazily running my fingers across the water.Kael let out a sharp breath. "I don't think we should be doing this, princess." He whispered I raised an eyebrow, my eyes shining with amusement. "And yet, here you are."He hesitated for a moment then he shook his head with a defeated chuckle. "You’re relentless.""I would prefer you use the term determined."He laughed his chest rumbling with the low sound and I used the moment to move closer to him, As I closed the distance between us, Kael tensed slightly but still, he didn't pull away. I suddenly turned around, slowly prying the straps of my dress over my shoulder.He let out a gasp, but coul
ISABELLE’S POVThe air between us was heavy with tension as I stood over Axel with a sly smile. “You need to start talking right now,” I muttered.He looked up at me, his body shaking with rage. I could see he desperately wanted to hurt me, raising his hands towards me with force but the chains held him back.His face was pale from blood loss, but his eyes were locked on mine, flashing with warning and danger.“You think you can endure this, don’t you?” I murmured, “you really think I would let you die so easily and escape your punishment for your crimes?”“There's nothing you can do to make you tell you anything.” He snarled.I chuckled, a low sound that echoed through the room. “You are telling me everything you know.” I was warned.He smirked, but I could see his eyes falter when I pulled out the same poisoned arrow he fired and tried to use to assassinate me.The tip was still stained with Rowan's blood and I didn't bother to clean it. I want him to suffer his same crimes.I trail